This tip comes from a friend  (Thanks, Jeff) who dealt with an overheating issue recently in the blazing hot Texas summer.  I am passing it along, nearly word for word as it was told to me.  File this little tidbit of info away for future reference..it may come in handy.
Sincerely, Wild Bill

Last month I took a road trip to E. TX and had two problems:  dead battery and over heating.  I replaced the alternator and my dead battery issue was fixed and my headlights are now much brighter.

Now to tackle my overheating issue.  My car was running at 220 F on the highway and I was told not to hook up my AC until I get the temperature down about 20 degrees.  It was recommended that I get a flex fan or an electric fan to get better air flow.  This would have seemed like a good suggestion if I was only having overheating issues in stop and go traffic, but I doubted this was the solution when I was still overheating while doing 75mph on the highway.  It was also suggested I replace my 3 core radiator with a 4 core and install a high flow water pump.  But my radiator is new, as well as the water pump and hoses and the motor has just been rebuilt.  I was doubting this diagnosis.

Just for grins I checked my coolant-water mixture.  I had 5 balls rise in the test apparatus which is great for -40 degrees, but maybe not what I needed in the summer.  I drained the radiator and replaced it with water and took it for a spin.  My temp. went down to 205 F.  When I re-tested the mixture, I still had 3 balls floating and I figured ideal would be 1 ball.  I drained it again, replaced it with water and now am running about 195 F and am ready to get the AC installed.

I thought a 50/50 water to anti freeze mixture was ideal for winter and summer time driving and I was dead wrong.  If anyone else is having over heating issues you might want to check your coolant-water mixture.

Jeff G.

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READER RESPONSE from Jim H (aka 351 Cleveland):
Just a quick comment, water straight water is always a better solution to overheating than 50/50 mix but I hope your buddy Jeff adds some water wetter to lube his water pump bearings and stop corrosion in the cooling system.